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New scoots from Kennards Lift and Shift lift up to five tonne

Heavy and bulky machinery weighing up to five tonne can be moved simply, safely and economically with new skoots from Kennards Lift and Shift .

Loads are hydraulically jacked to a height of between 20mm and 140mm (measured to the top of the forks), wheeled in any direction, and then lowered again. Lifting is controlled through a bottle jack mounted in the housing frame.

HVC Movement Engineers, specialists in moving heavy plant and machinery, used a set of the five tonne skoots to remove a large dry cleaning machine from TLC Dry Cleaners and replace it with a new unit.

Each machine weighed more than two tonne, but two men were able to wheel them with relative ease. Paul Paardekooper, of HVC Movement Engineers, said that because of the shape of the machines, skoots were the suitable option.

Paul Paardekooper said skates were another option, but, if the operator hits an obstacle – even something as small as a matchstick – they will stop and the machine will keep going. Skoots have bigger wheels, and the machine is strapped in.

While HVC Movement Engineers have their own specialist equipment for moving loads from 200kg to 200 tonne or more, at times it requires something more.

HVC Movement Engineers hire from Kennards Lift and Shift because they have good quality equipment and they provide better all-round service, said Paul Paardekooper.

John Hays, who operates Spencer Systems, which imported the new $57,000 dry cleaning machine from Italy, said the skoots were better than a pallet truck for this job.

According to John Hays, with a pallet truck, the lowest one can get the machine to the ground is about three inches (75mm), compared with about three quarters of an inch (20mm) using the scoots.

That little bit extra is important when it comes to getting through openings. Another advantage is operators can steer from both ends, so they are more manoeuvrable.

Kennards Lift and Shift also have 800kg capacity skoots. Kennards Lift and Shift have centres in Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and offer a wide range of equipment for safe, labour-saving materials handling solutions for awkward situations. Staff are fully trained and able to provide advice and solutions for jobs of all difficulties.